Pisco

Grapefruit brings out the delicate floral flavors of Peruvian pisco, an unaged grape brandy, in this frosty blended drink, says bartender Trey Hughes of Portland Hunt & Alpine Club in Maine. Freezing the spirit in advance helps keep the whole concoction cold. If you're fan of sweet-and-salty drinks like margaritas, try sprinkling with a pinch of flaky salt.

The South American grape-based brandy pisco lies at the center of a heated debate: Who invented it first?Peru and Chile both claim to be the creators of pisco, and there’s evidence to support each side. The spirit has been produced and exported from both countries for hundreds of years and even serves as the national drink in both places. Peru and Chile may distill or age their pisco differently, but they can both agree that the potent brandy is worth celebrating, preferably in a classic Pisco Sour.The original Sour’s a great starting point, but pisco’s eager for a little side action. Perhaps a friendly muddle with clementine and cilantro or a float of hibiscus syrup? Pisco’s on board, and you should be too.This piece originally appeared on Liquor.com.

A splash of orange juice helps smooth and sweeten this heady Peruvian cocktail. Slideshow: More Latin Cocktails Recipes

Alba Huerta adds fresh oregano to give a savory edge to this cobbler made with pisco, a South American brandy. “Oregano has such a big flavor, you have to tell people up front it’s in the cocktail. It can’t be a surprise,” she says. Slideshow: Beautiful Cocktails Recipe from Food & Wine Cocktails 2015

We’re calling it. The next big spirit you’ll be seeing on cocktail menus is pisco.

While it’s cropping up on cocktail bars across the country and a quickly growing spirit category, pisco is still a mystery to most. Here, a helpful pisco primer.